Compass Education was first founded in 2011 by Tom Arnold, and through his vision, quickly became a leading international teacher recruitment agency. Today, we remain a small, family-run business that gets to know our clients and candidates to ensure that we continue to deliver outstanding service.
With that in mind, it seems only fair, that you get the opportunity to get to know us too. In this blog, we will introduce our consultants, so you can learn a little about the team working hard on your behalf.
Name: Kathryn Kirk
Role: Director (& Owner)
How long have you been working with Compass? 2 years
What are your primary responsibilities? Managing the day-to-day running of Compass
What is your preferred method of communication (e.g., email, in-person, video call)? Video Call
What is one thing you hope to achieve as part of this team? I want to grow the team further and build on the excellent foundations already in place, whilst supporting the team as best I can.
What is the greatest tip you can give to applicants that want to teach abroad? Research, research, research! Be as clear as you can about your expectations and ambitions, and follow your dreams!
What is your favourite thing about your job? Interacting with schools and candidates and supporting them. Listening to the consultants report back on their work, and seeing the progress we make as a team.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, travelling and walking my dog. I am definitely more of a morning person, and to unwind I tend to put on my running shoes. I take my running quite seriously these days, and you will often find me training for a triathlon.
I am a strong believer that life is a journey and not a destination, and my favourite quote is: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou.
Name: Heather Thompson
Role: Recruitment Consultant
How long have you been working with Compass? 8 years
What are your primary responsibilities? The recruitment of excellent international teachers
What is your preferred method of communication (e.g., email, in-person, video call)? Video Call
What is one thing you hope to achieve as part of this team? I hope that my experience both as a recruitment specialist and also as someone that has relocated many times can benefit others. My husband is an international headteacher, so I have a wealth of relevant knowledge and help to impart.
What is the greatest tip you can give to applicants that want to teach abroad? Be open-minded and flexible.
What is your favourite thing about your job? Placing someone in a job they are thrilled to have been offered.
I am another morning person, who loves spending time with my family and walking the dog. To unwind, you often find me cycling or tinkering in the garden. I also love meeting friends and new people, which bodes well for my line of work.
Name: Honoria Arnold
Role: Administrative Consultant
How long have you been working with Compass? 13 years
What are your primary responsibilities? I am first in line when responding to candidate registration. This usually involves screening newly registered candidates, maintaining the candidate database, uploading new job adverts and maintaining the vacancy website.
What is your preferred method of communication (e.g., email, in-person, video call)? Video Call
What is one thing you hope to achieve as part of this team? My main goal is maintaining an excellent database, to help the recruitment team match the right candidates with the right international teaching jobs.
What is the greatest tip you can give to applicants that want to teach abroad? Seize the opportunity of a position that suits you and your profile.
What is your favourite thing about your job? Being involved in helping dreams come true.
A fun fact about me, that not many know, is that a photo of me was featured in the Beatles Museum in Liverpool. To find out why, you will have to register! To unwind after a busy day or recruitment season, I will often snuggle up and watch a good murder mystery. Always open to a recommendation or two. The motto that drives me is: “To do little things well.”
Name: Nicola Hemingway
Role: Senior Consultant
How long have you been working with Compass? A year (in September)
What are your primary responsibilities? Recruiting brilliant international educators, and developing teacher & leadership recruitment.
What is your preferred method of communication (e.g., email, in-person, video call)? Video Call
What is one thing you hope to achieve as part of this team? To be able to work together to support international schools, their teachers and their leaders build the best educational teams possible.
What is the greatest tip you can give to applicants that want to teach abroad? Take time at the start of the search, to look into locations and the differing types of schools available. This is where an education consultant can be invaluable as they will be able to provide you with the information needed to support you in making the decision that is right for you and your career and life aspirations.
What is your favourite thing about your job? Hearing updates from candidates about how much they are enjoying their new careers and country.
I am definitely a morning person, especially in the summertime. Outside of work, I particularly enjoy travel and cookery and especially enjoy combining the two and learning about a country via their local food! The quote that motivates me is from Jane Goodall – “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
We work very closely with international schools and international teachers and leaders. For our clients, which include some of the best international schools in the world, we work alongside you, to best understand your needs and provide you with the best-fit teachers and leaders. For our candidates, we take pride in dedicating as much time as possible to supporting you on your international teaching journey and finding the right role for you, in the right school.
As a leading education recruitment consultancy, Compass has been successfully supporting international schools since 2011. With a wealth of experience in education and recruitment, our dedicated team of consultants ensures that we meet the challenges of fast-paced teacher recruitment and navigate the intricacies of leadership appointments.
Get in touch, if you would like to work with us.
